Island Books to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day

On April 29, Independent Bookstore Day 2017 is being celebrated all across the country and Island Books is one of a host of participating stores in the region.

“We’re all taking part in the larger cause, but we’re also celebrating it in our own way, too, because, you know … we’re independent,” according to an Island Books press release.

The store, at 3014 78th Ave. SE, will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The day-long festival includes a special loyalty card that will earn customers a 25 percent discount on all purchases for an entire year if they get a full set of stamps at Seattle-area stores on Saturday. All stores will also be featuring a number of signed books, prints and other products from favorite authors and illustrators. These will be available exclusively from indie shops and only on this day — first come, first served.

Island Books will have a full slate of activities happening all day, including:

• Pick up an IBD2017 passport and get it stamped. If you visit Island Books and at least two other participating stores (all listed on the back) you’ll be entered into a drawing for great prizes. If you visit all the participating stores in one day, you’ll earn the title of Grand Champion and a year-long 25 percent discount at all stores on all purchases.

• Free doughnuts and coffee in the morning (and the mimosas get poured at 9 a.m.).

• Entertainer extraordinaire Nancy Stewart gets the morning started right with songs and fun at 9:30 a.m.

• All-day coloring table for kids of all ages.

• The world-famous Island Books typewriters will be dusted off and ready for use.

• Mid-day features a visit from authors Jen Longo and Mark Holtzen, dispensing advice about books and life.

• All-day giveaways: Purchases of $20 or more will be rewarded with a pick from the store’s blind-date grab bag, which contains books in plain brown wrappers, emblazoned with a personal ad.

• Where are you going and where have you been? Since IBD2017 is all about getting on the road, check out the world map at Island Books and pin it with the most interesting place you’ve visited. All travelers will be entered in a drawing for a free copy of Lonely Planet’s Wild World.

• All-day free audiobook downloads available from our partners at Libro.fm. You can sign up at https://libro.fm/islandbooks in advance to get a jump on things.

• Music and refreshments in the evening, starting at, “oh, say sixish.”

Island Books is also launching a bookmark design contest on Independent Bookstore Day. All ages are welcome to participate, and the winning entry will be printed as a special limited edition summer bookmark in full color.

“The last time we did this was in 2010 … and we remember who won: Emma Anderson, who was 10 at the time,” according to an Island Books press release. “We love our iconic Island Books bookmark, but every now and again it’s fun to change it up.”

There is no theme and there are no limits, except it must be 2-inches by 5-inches and somehow include “Island Books, Open Every Day, www.islandbooks.com.”

All entries must be received by midnight, May 12. Island Books will post the finalists in the bookstore and online for a community vote.

“You can sign the front of your bookmark if you want with your name and age, it’s up to you,” according to the press release. “Just be sure we know how to contact you in case you’re the winner.”

The winner will be announced May 21. The store will print 500 bookmarks and distribute them while they last.

The world-famous Island Books typewriters will be dusted off and ready for use. Photo courtesy of Island Books